1) What is the mood of the speaker in the opening lines? What images suggest his feelings?
--> In the opening lines, the speaker sounded depressing. The lines were full of sorrow and ultimate
sadness. It gives an illusion as if the speaker is helpless.
Evidence : "The ground opens up an envelopes me"
2) What is the significance of the daughter's gesture of peeking into "her own clasped hands"
--> In my opinion, it signifies that the speaker's daughter has hope. The daughter at a young age
(age not stated in the poem, assumed by the blogger) does not have any stress, and depression.
In fact, she was in her own world, her own bubble; "talking to someone". Or perhaps, she was
upset, but she chose to let it go by talking to herself or someone as the speaker put it into words.
However, readers need to be aware of the line "Only she on her knees". This line indicates that
she was kneeling down. In this case, she was probably praying and looking up for the Holy Guidance
from God the Almighty.
3) What does the title mean? How does it explain the closing line?
--> The title "Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note" carries the meaning of the introduction of a
collection of suicide notes. However, it has zero connection to the closing line. The closing line shows
hopes and lights. That not everything is bad and dismal. If only we seek and never stop finding solutions
to whatever problems and troubles that we are facing, eventually things will get better and we will be at
ease.
4) Why does Baraka have three short lines, separated at stanzas? How do they convey the message of the
poem?
--> The three short lines, "Things have come to that", "Nobody sings anymore", "Her own clasped hands". Personally, from my point of view I think the three short lines were written to emphasis the
seriousness of what is going on in the speaker's mind. That everything has been fated to be in that way.
No jovial spirits to be found. But, through God we find hope.
5) Why does Baraka begin stanzas with "Lately", "And now", and "And then"? What do these transition
words accomplish?
--> "Lately" ~ How the speaker used to have negative, and hopeless thoughts running in his/her head.
"And now" ~ Slowly, the speaker is trying to change his/her views and perspectives on life.
"And then" ~ The speaker caught the view of his/her daughter kneeling down and was talking to
someone, presumably to God. Nothing is impossible to achieve. Every task given by
God has been meted by God according to your abilities. Nothing is out of your league
if you were to face certain issues or problems in your life. For God will always at your
side, patiently guiding you.
6) How does the speaker feel about his daughter? What does she represent to him?
--> The daughter of the speaker represents him hopes. She was seen with lights. It helps shed the speaker's
negative vibes away.
*Answers given by the Blogger is of her own opinions, solely*
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